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What shipping method do you use when buying from China?
 

I ALWAYS use DHL... but I feel turned away paying $360 for my newest order I want to get. My total package weight is estimated at 60kg. Is my supplier trying to pull a slick one or is this the actual estimated cost?


Does anyone have any ideas on how to get shipping cost lowered or what services to use? Thanks

Re: What shipping method do you use when buying from China?
 

Depends on cost declared - speak to your supplier...

Re: What shipping method do you use when buying from China?
 

Shipping internationally from around the world is freaking costly.

He's probably shipping air. I've shipped parcels using China Post and they almost always check the air shipping box by default. If you want to use the ground/sea/ground transport it will definitely be cheaper.

You can also just go on the DHL website and find out the cost yourself.


And to answer your question directly - I use China Post.

Re: What shipping method do you use when buying from China?
 

Cost of the shipment is about $1300 and $360 for DHL.

I'm asking the forum because I believe my supplier is incorrect. He also claims that shipping by sea usually needs 200kg+ shipments.

I will ask him about China post.

And I've read some talk about Shipping agents? How would I go about that and what would the advantages be?

Re: What shipping method do you use when buying from China?
 

Not sure about China/Hong Kong, but from Japan you can ship via sea for any weight or at least a few KG.

It can take months via sea though.

Re: What shipping method do you use when buying from China?
 

Well, the rules changed a few months back I think. China posts has been pretty good to me thus far and more reliable then sea.

But I noticed that a lot of of my suppliers are opting for the china post though.

Re: What shipping method do you use when buying from China?
 

Your supplier is "kind of" correct. He would need to find a company that combines smaller shipments into containers and ships them over to the US in bulk. There are plenty of companies that do that, and they often have different minimum sizes and/or weights that they will take.

Shipping agents are mostly bullpoopy. It's just another Chinese person who wants to line up to charge you an additional 15% for doing business in China.

In THEORY though, you can't ship out of china without a tax ID. So, when I was moving back from China I couldn't ship my own items back to me because I don't have a Chinese Tax ID (or "citizen number" similar to our SSN). So a shipping agent would assist with you in that.

Gotta be honest, it's pretty easy to Google what you're looking for. You should either take the time to familiarize yourself with the process of shipping items from China to the US, or "practice" doing business in china by turning a stool upside down and doing squats.

Your supplier is counting on taking the second route, which will put a tidy profit in his pocket.

Re: What shipping method do you use when buying from China?
 

for something this heavy that sounds about right. only other real option is
e m s but I think dhl is cheaper for super heavy parcels...

Re: What shipping method do you use when buying from China?
 

For speed and reliability, I prefer DHL.

Shipping by sea is the cheapest way, but it takes WEEKS to get here. Then, you MAY even have to get a broker to move the items through customs. That can quickly wipe away any savings. Not to mention transportation to your place of business if you are not near the seaport.

China Post is probably the cheapest option, but it usually takes 10-14 days to get your items.

Re: What shipping method do you use when buying from China?
 

yeah sounds about right for the weight and probably size. As mentioned be aware of shipping by sea as it has hidden cost and stuff doesn't just show up at your door like it does for air shipping.